Power Plant Operators Salary in Waterloo, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

Median annual salary $70,080 -29.7% vs national
Median hourly $33.69
10th percentile $53,550
90th percentile $99,720
Employed locally 30
National median $99,670

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Power Plant Operators
in
Waterloo, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $53,550
    25th
    $53,550
    50th (median)
    $70,080
    75th
    $99,720
    90th
    $99,720

    Waterloo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,916 2023 • Census ACS
    Power Plant Operators salary vs area income 102% Median Power Plant Operators salary is 2% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Power Plant Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $156,260
    Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA $140,800
    Fresno, CA $136,640
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $136,300
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $133,460
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $128,340

    Nearby metros — Power Plant Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $111,260
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $108,730
    Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area $107,110
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $105,740
    California $105,520
    Omaha, NE-IA $103,810

    Related occupations in Waterloo, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $48,120
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $49,220
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $47,630
    Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators $48,420
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $75,420
    Production Workers, All Other $48,700

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Power Plant Operators make per hour in Waterloo?

    The median hourly wage for Power Plant Operators in Waterloo, IA is $33.69, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $49.55 or more per hour.

    Is Waterloo above or below average for Power Plant Operators salaries?

    The median Power Plant Operators salary in Waterloo, IA is 29.7% below the national median of $99,670. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Power Plant Operators in Waterloo?

    Entry-level Power Plant Operators (10th percentile) earn around $53,550 per year in Waterloo, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $53,550.